Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device helps users perform squat exercise while also reducing stress on knees, other joints and the lower back. The exercise device has a seat mechanism, housing and a related base which cooperate so the stress of squat exercises is reduced, especially at the lower/bottom end of the squat exercise. The housing and base are slidably coupled to one another, and include a spring to provide supporting forces to assist users during squat exercises. While carrying out the desired squat exercise, a user will squat downward until their buttocks contacts the seat mechanism, causing the body weight of the user to move the seat and housing downward, acting against the natural force of an internal spring. The exercise device also includes an adjustment mechanism to allow users to adjust the spring force, thus customizing the resistance provided.

BACKGROUND

Health and fitness have become an integral part of society, with ongoing concerns about medical issues, disease, body image, and overall quality of life. Consequently, the importance of daily exercise has been clearly recognized for many different reasons.

One type of well recognized exercise is the squat, where a user will bend their knees and move in a “sitting” motion, while maintaining their upper body in a substantially vertical orientation. In some instances, the user will carry or support weights to increase the work done by the leg muscles. In many cases however, squats can be harmful and dangerous, creating undue stress and strain on the users lower back, knees and other joints. This stress is most prominent at the lower portion of the squat exercise.

SUMMARY

To assist users in carrying out an effective and efficient “squat”, while also avoiding undue strain on the knees, joints and lower back, an exercise devise is provided which will assist in the lower/bottom portions of this exercise. The exercise device includes a seat mechanism, which is coupled to a spring loaded housing and base. With the base supported on a floor (or similar supporting surface), the housing and base are configured to operate in a manner which will provide support during the downward motion of a squat, and guidance during the subsequent upward motion. The height of the seat mechanism is adjustable, and the resistance/spring force provided is adjustable, thus allowing a user to configure the device so a “custom fit” can be provided.

While carrying out the desired squat exercise, a user will first place the exercise device on a floor or supporting surface, in an area that is free from clutter and obstructions. With their back facing the exercise device, the user will squat downward until their buttocks contacts a seat structure, or supporting platform, of the seat mechanism. At this point, the body weight of the user will force the seat and housing downward, acting against the natural force of an internal spring. As the user lowers their body, the force of the spring will become greater, thus creating additional resistance. This spring force will also provide assistance to the user as they begin moving their body upward. When properly adjusted, this will help to reduce undue stress and strain created during the squat exercise, while also providing enough range of free motion so the user can benefit from the exercise involved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present exercise device will be apparent from reading the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise device;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional drawings of the exercise device in its uncompressed configuration;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are also cross-sectional drawings of the exercise device shown in its compressed configuration;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are further cross-sectional drawings showing the exercise device in a compressed condition;

FIG. 5 is a close-up of the adjustment mechanisms;

FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the exercise device;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 9 and 9A are cross-sectional views of the exercise device shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION

Outlined below are details of one embodiment of an exercise device 10 which will assist users while doing “squat” exercises. While various embodiments of exercise device 10 are illustrated throughout the figures and discussed in detail, it will be recognized and appreciated that several alternatives are possible.

As a starting point, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of exercise device 10 which includes a base 20, a housing or main body 30, and a seat member 80. Base 20 includes a floor support 24 and an upright extension 22. As will be further discussed below, various internal structures and details also exist which provide for enhanced operation.

In order to provide the necessary range of motion, and the forces desired, housing 30 of exercise device 10 is slidably coupled to upright extension 22. Both housing 30 and upright extension 22 are elongated structures, with a central axis which is generally aligned. As illustrated, both housing 30 and upright extension 22 both have particular indents 26, 36 along an edge portion, which provide mating and alignment features while also allowing for the desired movement. As better illustrated in FIG. 6, upright extension 22 includes a groove 27, and housing 30 includes a stop 32 that will also limit upward movement.

At a top end of housing 30, an adjustment device 50 is operably coupled thereto. As illustrated, adjustment device 50 includes a knob 52 which can be accessed and operated by a user. As will be further discussed below, the rotation of adjustment knob 52 will adjust internal resistance of the exercise device, thus allowing a user to modify the forces provided during squat exercises. As better illustrated in FIG. 5, adjustment device 50 is held in place by having a ridge 60 contained by a first housing surface 38 and a cap member 40. This allows for rotational movement of adjustment device 50, while maintain position within housing 30.

In addition, a seat member 80 is also coupled to an upper portion of housing 30. Seat member 80 includes a seat or support platform 82 and a downwardly extending post 84. In this particular embodiment, post 84 is coupled to adjustment device 50. Post 84 includes threads 86 which accommodate or support the adjustment of seat height to better meet the needs of a particular user.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, further internal structures of exercise device 10 are illustrated. Both FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional diagrams, with FIG. 2A being a true cross-section while FIG. 2B is a perspective cut-away. As further illustrated in these figures, base 20 also includes an internal spring support surface 28. In this case, internal spring support surface 28 is located centrally within the upright extension and is sufficiently structured to receive one end of a spring 90. As previously mentioned, housing 30 and upright extension 22 are slidably engaged with one another. In use, floor support 24 of base 20 is typically placed on a stable and a solid supporting surface (e.g. the floor), while housing 30 is allowed to move up and down relative thereto. As will be appreciated, housing 30 is urged in an upward direction by spring 90.

As previously mentioned, housing 30 has an adjustment device 50 attached thereto. adjustment device 50 includes knob 52 and a threaded cylindrical portion 54. As better illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the threaded cylindrical portion 54 has an outer threaded surface 56 and an inner threaded surface 58.

Coupled to threaded cylindrical portion 54 is a slider 70 which is utilized to support a second end of spring 90. More specifically, slider 70 has internal threads 72 which cooperate with outer threaded surface 56 of adjustment device 50. When knob 52 is rotated, slider 70 will move up and down threaded cylindrical portion 54. As will be appreciated, this movement will adjust the tension or bias of spring 90, thus modifying the resistance provided. Although not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, housing 30 will include an internal structure to prevent slider 70 from rotating, rather simply allowing it to slide in an upward or downward direction.

As mentioned above, FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of exercise device 10. In a similar manner, FIGS. 3A and 3B are corresponding cross-sectional views, however showing exercise device 10 in a compressed configuration. As seen, housing 30 has been moved downwardly such that a majority of upright extension 20 is now contained therein. Additionally, spring 90 has been compressed. As will be appreciated, when in this compression position spring 90 will provide an increased upward force. Thus, when used in a squat exercise the upward force provided by spring 90 will assist movement of the user in an upward direction.

As suggested above, slider 70 is movable in relation to adjustment device 50. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, slider 70 has been moved to a lower end of threaded cylindrical portion 54. As will be appreciated, this will naturally modify the biasing characteristics of spring 90. This positioning is more closely illustrated in FIG. 5. Also illustrated in FIG. 5 is a ridge 40 which is provided to prevent rotation of slider 70, when adjustment device 50 is manipulated.

As also suggested above, the threaded cylindrical portion of adjustment device 50 includes an inner threaded surface 58. In this particular embodiment, inner threaded surface 58 is operationally coupled with a threaded surface on post 84, thus allowing adjustment of the seat height.

Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 9A, an alternative embodiment of the exercise device 10 is illustrated. While there are several similarities, there are a couple modifications that enhance operability, including prevention of undesired adjustment and alignment failures. As best viewed in FIG. 9A, a stop washer 64 has been added to adjustment device 50. Specifically, stop washer 64 has been attached to a lower end of threaded cylindrical portion 54, so that slider 70 does not slide off this end. It is also noted that inner threaded surface 58 covers only a portion of threaded cylindrical portion 54. In certain situations, the seat post 84 will extend into only a portion of the threaded cylindrical portion 54, so additional threads may not be needed.

In addition, to prevent the undesired rotation of knob 54 (and entire adjustment device 50), a spring loaded ball 66 has been incorporated into housing 30. Spring loaded ball 66 is positioned to interact with an outer surface 67 of ridge 60. Although not specifically illustrated, it is contemplated that outer surface 67 of ridge 60 will have a number of grooves or notches, which will provide a small amount or resistance and will prevent knob from rotating inadvertently. As discussed above, while adjusting the height of seat 80, post 84 will be rotated. Internal surface resistance could also cause adjustment device 50 to be rotated during this adjustment process. The use of spring loaded ball 66 will prevent this from happening.

In the embodiment illustrated and discussed above, exercise device is provided having adjustable height, adjustable resistance characteristics, and functionality to assist users in carrying out squat exercises. In addition, the angle of upright extension 22 is specifically configured to provide the most efficient support and assistance while a user is carrying out the contemplated squat exercises.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustrating the details thereof and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The details and features of the disclosed embodiment are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. An exercise device supported on a supporting surface and capable of providing controlled support to a user while performing exercises, comprising: a base supportable on the supporting surface and having an upright extension, with the upright extension having an internal chamber and a spring support surface therein; a housing having an inner chamber configured to slidably receive the upright extension, the housing further having a spring containing chamber; an adjustment device movably coupled to the housing to allow free rotation thereof, the adjustment device having a knob situated adjacent an outer surface of the housing and a threaded cylindrical portion contained within the housing, the adjustment device further having an internal cylindrical opening extending from the knob and into the threaded cylindrical portion; a slider adjustably coupled to the threaded cylindrical portion and contained the spring containing chamber such that rotation of the adjustment device will cause the slider to change its position within the spring containing chamber; a seat member having a support platform and a post extending downwardly from the support structure, wherein the post is configured to be inserted into the internal cylindrical opening of the adjustment device and coupled thereto, thus also causing the seat member and the housing to be coupled to one another; and a spring contained within the spring contain chamber and biased between the slider and the spring support surface of the base; wherein pressure against the seat structure will cause movement of the housing relative to the base and compression of the spring such that increased resistance is encountered as the user further moves the seat in the direction of the support surface.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the post and the internal cylindrical chamber are threaded so that rotation of the seat member will adjust the height of the support platform relative to the supporting surface.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the spring bias is adjusted by movement of the slider.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the upward extension of the base extends at a predetermined angle relative to the supporting surface.
 5. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the support platform is a seat usable by the user to sit thereon, and wherein the weight of the user sitting on the seat will cause movement of the housing relative to the base and compression of the spring, and wherein compression of the spring will create an increased upward force urging the user upward.
 6. The exercise device of claim 5 wherein the spring bias can be adjusted by movement of the slider.
 7. An exercise device for assisting users in performing squat exercised, comprising: a base having an upright extension and a spring supporting surface contained within the upright extension; a housing slidably coupled to the base; an adjustable seat coupled to an upper side of the housing, the adjustable seat having a supporting platform and an adjustment device to allow the position of the supporting platform relative to the upper end of the housing to be adjusted; an adjustment mechanism coupled to the housing, the adjustment mechanism having a knob accessible from outside the housing and having a movable slider which can be moved within the housing based upon manipulation of the knob; and a spring having a first end in physical contact with the movable slider and a second end in contact with the spring supporting surface, wherein movement of the movable slider will adjust a static bias of the spring, and wherein movement of the housing relative to the base will cause compression of the spring and create an increased spring force resisting said compression.
 8. The exercise device of claim 7 wherein the base is supported on a supporting surface during use, and the upright extension is maintained at an angle relative to the base.
 9. The exercise device of claim 8 wherein pressure against the seat will cause movement of the housing relative to the base.
 10. The exercise device of claim 8 wherein the adjustment mechanism is coupled to the housing to allow free rotation thereof, the knob of the adjustment device being situated adjacent an outer surface of the housing, the adjustment mechanism further having a threaded cylindrical portion contained within the housing and coupled to the knob to that rotation of the knob causes rotation of the threaded cylindrical portion, wherein the slider has a threaded portion cooperating with the threaded cylindrical portion such that rotation of the adjustment device will cause the movement of the movable slider.
 11. The exercise device of claim 10 wherein the adjustable seat is coupled to an upper side of the housing via the adjustment mechanism.
 12. The exercise device of claim 11 wherein the adjustable seat and the adjustment mechanism are coupled to one another via a threaded coupling. 